Otoplasty is the name given to the surgery performed to correct the appearance of the auricle. With otoplasty surgery, the overly prominent auricle, also known as the prominent ear, can be corrected, as well as the auricle and earlobe, which are underdeveloped or have a distorted appearance due to congenital or trauma-like reasons, can be reshaped. Protruding ears cause social and psychological negativities, especially in childhood. As they grow up, children who enter social environments such as nurseries, kindergartens and schools may be exposed to cruel reactions and criticism due to the appearance of their ears. Being ridiculed and excluded in friendships can lead to problems in self-confidence and personality development; It can cause communication disorders, school failure, and decreased self-confidence. For this reason, it is generally accepted that the best time for otoplasty surgeries is before school. Adults may also need otoplasty surgery for reasons such as getting rid of an appearance that may be perceived as a disadvantage in social environments, being able to gather their hair over their ears or have it cut comfortably short. Otoplasty is a very frequently performed facial plastic surgery. It can be performed under general or local anesthesia, with day surgery or a short hospital stay.

Brief Anatomy

The auricle consists of cartilage covered with a thin soft tissue and skin. At the age of five, the auricle completes its development. However, cartilage content continues to change over the years. Cartilage, which has a softer and more foldable structure in young children, becomes harder in older people. The unique shape of the auricle is the result of many folds formed during development in the womb. If some of these folds do not develop fully, prominent ears occur. As with all other facial structures, one ear is not exactly like the other. The aim of surgery is to make the ears less prominent, similar in appearance and more natural.

Preoperative Evaluation

Preoperative evaluations, surgical technique, and postoperative recommendations may vary between surgeons. The best pre-operative preparation can be achieved by having a friendly interview in which all questions will be fully answered. Your doctor should understand your expectations and wishes. Clearly and realistically what can and cannot be achieved with surgery; Asking and learning what the ear appearance will be like after surgery will help you determine your expectations from this surgery. It is very important to determine the timing of otoplasty surgery for children. Otoplasty is generally not recommended before the age of five. However, if surgery is postponed for too long, the child may grow up with psychological problems.

Quality photographs should be taken to guide the preoperative interview, to provide the surgeon with a comparison opportunity during the surgery, and to compare the results obtained after the surgery. If the surgery is planned to be performed under general anesthesia, a separate meeting should be held between the patient or their relatives and the anesthesiologist.

Operation

There are many different surgical techniques to correct prominent ears. In children or young patients, shaping can be done with stitches since the cartilage has high flexibility. In order to give the cartilage the desired shape, certain areas can be marked, folded, thinned and weakened; If there is excess cartilage or soft tissue, it can be removed. Regardless of the technique applied, an incision is made in the crease behind the ear. This incision is closed with appropriate suture materials selected considering aesthetic results and durability. At the end of the surgery, a dressing is applied to apply slight pressure on the newly shaped auricle.

Postoperative

As with surgical techniques, each surgeon may have different postoperative practices resulting from his or her own experience. Differences in application do not mean that any method is better than another. However, the patient is usually seen on the first day after surgery and the dressing is changed or removed. There is usually no serious pain after surgery; A slight pain that can be controlled with painkillers can be expected. The headband is applied day and night for a week; For the next few weeks, the headband should be worn only at night. While children are ready to start school after a week, adults can return to work earlier. Physical activity is restricted for 10-14 days, and contact sports are restricted for at least two months. Follow-ups are planned more frequently in the first weeks after surgery and are usually repeated in the third and 12th months. By this time, the scar behind the ear will gradually decrease. Since the incisions are left behind the ear, the scar is camouflaged and does not usually cause cosmetic problems.
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